May 30, 2026  
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year) 
    
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year)
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SL 171 - American Sign Language I


Description
This course is a basic introduction to American Sign Language and provides students with basic knowledge of American Sign Language vocabulary and grammar. Students in this course learn the manual alphabet used in fingerspelling (400 to 500 signs used in ASL), rules on grammar, semantics and syntax used in ASL, and discuss conversational techniques used with deaf adults.  Students with previous sign language experience should contact the Department of Language and Thought for information regarding placement.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None
General Education Requirement:
Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate a vocabulary of approximately 500 signs during the semester.

2. Evaluate and use correct basic ASL sentence construction.

3. Create grammatically correct basic sentences using appropriate body and facial expression.

4. Demonstrate the use of fingerspelling to express oneself.

5. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend fingerspelling used by another person.

6. Demonstrate comprehension of signs being used by another person.

7. Demonstrate the ability to participate in conversation with deaf adults using receptive and expressive sign language skills.

8. Demonstrate the ability to translate signed ASL sentences to both proper verbal and written English form.

9. Demonstrate the correct use of numbers in ASL.

10. Demonstrate the correct use of basic manual and facial grammar.

11. Identify issues related to deafness and Deaf Culture.

12. Demonstrate the understanding of the basic features, mores, and values of Deaf Culture. (GELO 4)

13. Use appropriate posture, gestures, eye contact, and vocal expressiveness to effectively communicate information. (GELO 2)

14. Discuss how communities, countries, or cultures differ in their values, politics, communication styles, beliefs and practices. 

15. Complete work accurately, with attention to detail. 
Course Outline:
I. Introducing Oneself, Cardinal/Ordinal Numbering and Fingerspelling

II. Exchanging Personal Information

III. Discussing Living Situations

IV. Talking about Family

V. Telling about Activities

VI. Storytelling


Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 20-25%

Facilitated Discussion: 20-25%

Mediated Instruction: 35-40%

Group Work: 15-25%

Other: 0-15%
Mandatory Course Components:
 Presentation (in ASL)

  Activity Log and Journal

  Homework

  Quizzes

  Classroom Participation

  Midterm

  Final Exam
Equivalent Courses:
None


Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None
Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100757
Course CIP Code: 16.99
Maximum Course Enrollment: 27
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA


School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Language & Thought
Discipline: SL
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Required Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university

Required Credentials: documentation of one of the following: BEI, Sign Language
Proficiency Interview (SLPI) level Advanced or ASLPI Level 4, EIPA 4.0+, ASLTA, NIC, NIC Advanced, NIC Master, CI/CT, CSC, CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)

Preferred Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university in Sign Language or in any field with a minimum of 18 semester / 27 quarter hours coursework in the discipline

Preferred Experience: College level teaching Sign Language
Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20240209T16:47:53
Course Review & Revision Year: 2028-2029



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